SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1544512
CHASING THE LEGENDARY WIN A Look Ahead to the BFGoodrich Tires 58th SCORE Baja 500 By Dan Sanchez Photos By Get Some Photo The 2026 World Desert Championship is set to bring racers and fans back to Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico for the second race of the season, the BFGoodrich Tires 58th SCORE Baja 500. The first week in June, 3rd- 7th, will bring in teams and spectators to participate and witness this historical motorsports event that has also become a tradition in the city of Ensenada. The SCORE Baja 500 is so deeply connected to the history and residents of Ensenada, and the country, that it is celebrated as SCORE International Day every first Saturday in June. The week of the race begins with the Method Race Wheels Qualifier on June 4th, where competitors in the SCORE Trophy Truck, TT 2WD, TT Legends, Class 1, and TT Spec classes will battle for starting positions. The fastest vehicles will be able to start the race from their qualifying positions, no matter what class they are in. This places the fastest vehicles up front, leading the competitors on a fast pace which can extend leads for some racers, and hinder others trying to keep up. Following the always exciting qualifying laps, Tech and Contingency Day will start on June 5th, where teams and the vehicles will take-over downtown Ensenada on the Boulevard Costero in front of the Riviera Del Pacifico Cultural Center. New safety regulations require that any race vehicle entering SCORE areas must be operated by two registered race participants, both remaining inside the vehicle at all times. For safety, additional participants, team members, and fans, cannot access these areas, but they can watch from outside the fenced route. On Saturday, June 6th, the race begins before dawn, with motorcycles and quads get an approximate 3.5-hour head start ahead of the SCORE Trophy Trucks and the rest of the four-wheel classes. Pre-race ceremonies, including the introduction of Ensenada government officials, lead up to the thrilling moment when the top qualifiers take the starting line and the green flag is dropped for each to begin their timed runs. All of the pre and race-day events will be showcased on SCORE's Live Stream available to view on the SCORE Social Media pages and the SCORE-International website and app. Coverage will include on-site video with in-vehicle and overhead drone footage, along with commentary from special guests and SCORE's host from the in-studio headquarters in SCORE's race shop in El Cajon, California. THE SET-UP FOR THE SCORE BAJA 500 After the first class wins of the season at the 39th SCORE San Felipe 250, some of the top teams are continuing their championship winning streaks, while others are making waves with new wins and renewed enthusiasm. Luke McMillin- Started the season with a win after not taking the top spot throughout the 2025 season. He and the team seem to have worked out the bugs on their new engine and could be ready for some race wins for the rest of this season. Rob MacCachren- He dove into the 2WD class because his new AWD truck wasn't finished, and easily won the class. His presence there along with several other legendary and veteran drivers is making this class an exciting one to compete in. MacCachren will be teaming up with Paul Weel in the SCORE Trophy Truck class the rest of the season. Tyler Lynn - The 2025 Pro Moto Unlimited Champion, and co-rider Carter Klein, of the 1x Slam Life Racing team, swept the 2025 season and made the first race in 2026 look like an easy win. This season they added Sam Pretscherer as the third rider. This is the team's fifth consecutive class win; sixth if you count Lynn's 2024 SCORE Baja 1000 win with Justin Morgan on the 7x bike. David Payne - In the SCORE Trophy Truck Legend class, David Payne with co-driver Larry Roeseler in the No. 61L truck, won the class after Gus Vildosola and Ricky Johnson had vehicle trouble, breaking Vildosola's three-season winning streak. If Payne can keep up the momentum, and qualify in the top five in class, they can have a chance at another victory at the SCORE Baja 500. Brock Heger - The SCORE Pro UTV Open class champion once again opened the season with a class win, propelling the SCI Motorsports Factory Polaris team forward. With an abundance of skill and tenacity, Heger will once again be difficult to beat this season among a list of very talented racers in this class. Jorge Sampietro - Sampietro is not new to the SCORE TT Spec class as has been at the top of the podium many times. He started this season with a win, but in this large and competitive class, it's consistently getting on the podium that can lead him to a class championship. Exclusive details and interviews with these and other racers from the 39th SCORE San Felipe 250 are in the Race Review section in this issue.SJ